Stuck in Probation: Can I Use My Old Job's NOC for a New Interview? What Should I Do?

Hi,

I am currently working in a central government company (B). Prior to this, I was working in another central government company (A). While working in A, I applied for a central government job (C) through the proper channel. I have now shifted to B and am in the probation period. Now, C is asking for an interview with a No Objection Certificate (NOC). B will not issue an NOC since I am in probation. Can I attend the interview using A's letter through the proper channel? What should I do after that? Please suggest.

Thanks in advance.

Though your application for C is through A, your employment contract with A is now over. As such, the NOC has to be issued only by your present employer, who is B. There is no necessity to presume a refusal of the NOC by B based on your probationary status. Please try your best to convince B and obtain the NOC. Since C is also a Central Govt. organization, I don't think there would be any objection from B if you assure them in writing that you will comply with any notice period obligations in the event of your selection for Central Govt. Services.

I hope this helps.

Best regards,
[Your Name]

Thank you for your reply. I have talked with them, and they are strict about not giving an NOC during probation. Can you suggest what to do in this case? Is an NOC mandatory during the probation period? Thanks in advance.

Navigating NOC During Probation

You are in a tricky situation. Giving an NOC for a job change during the probation period is at the discretion of your current employer. However, they can't compel a probationer to remain in their services when selected for a better job. They can only require you to fulfill any notice period obligations.

The point here is that you are only called for an interview by the prospective employer with an NOC from your current employer. This does not guarantee your selection. Therefore, I don't understand the logical reason behind their refusal.

It would be better to appeal to the higher-ups in the hierarchy. Even if it fails, attend the interview without an NOC and explain your inability to provide one, assuring them of your timely joining if selected. Be prepared to face the notice period, even if it means buying it out. Let's see whether good sense prevails.

Umakanthan ji,

Thank you for your reply. I talked with the highest authority in the institute. They are not issuing NOC during probation. But is it true that NOC is not required during probation in Central Govt. jobs? I have read in some places on this forum stating this. Can you clarify this?

Thanks.

Sorry, I cannot say anything conclusively about the issue of an NOC by the employer to a serving employee in the event of applying for a job under another or attending an interview in this regard, particularly during probation; it depends on the service regulations. The purpose behind an NOC is only to facilitate a changeover in the event of the candidate's selection. Generally, in Government service, both Central and State, since it is only a transfer of service, an NOC is not insisted upon, but the application has to be routed through the proper channel. In the case of Public Sector Undertakings, an inter-unit transfer is not possible because each unit is a separate entity having its own service regulations that need not be identical. Anyway, when going for the interview, mention the same purpose in your leave application. Best of luck!

Regards

"But is it true that NOC is not required during probation in Central Government jobs?" This question contradicts your original posting "Now C is asking for an interview with NOC." The question is: has 'C' really asked you, in writing, to produce the NOC?

Thanks for the replies. The statement mentioned in the interview letter is that "If you have not applied through the proper channel, you should produce a 'no objection' certificate from your current employer". They are not aware that I am currently on probation.

Understanding NOC for Contract Employees in Academics

I am in academics and have heard of a rule stating, "NOC is given to regular employees." I am on a contract (tenure track) for three years initially, and the appointment letter does not mention anything about probation. However, in academics, it is assumed that the first year will be probationary by default (as far as I can gather from my contacts). Does this mean I am not a regular employee?

Umakanthanji, if I mention the interview in the leave letter, they will most likely not approve it since they have already rejected the NOC application. As the interview letter states, I have to produce an NOC at the time of the interview if I have not applied through the proper channel. Logically, I should produce an NOC from the present employer (as I inferred).

My interaction with you so far on this thread, Sandip, confirms the above observation of our learned friend Mr. Venu. Assumptions and presumptions have a place only in gray areas. There is nothing unclear in this situation. At the time of applying for the job, you had to route your application through the proper channel, which you did. Now, you are called for an interview with an NOC only in case you did not submit your application through the proper channel. You have confusion about this NOC because of the change in your job in the meantime, and hence you approached your present employer for an NOC, which was turned down based on the existing practice followed in CPUs in general. How do you anticipate that your leave application would be rejected if you mention the interview purpose? The rejection of NOC is different based on its reason.

I agree that most of the things are based on my assumptions and presumptions. I understand that I can apply for leave by stating the reason for the interview. The question is, is it okay to attend the interview with the old NOC, or should I document that the NOC is either given or required during the probation period? Is there any other way to handle this situation? I want to avoid going for the interview and then getting rejected due to the non-issuance of the NOC.

The problem is that logically I should produce an NOC from the current employer, which I can't obtain. What should be done in this situation?

Better attend the interview as it is and politely inform that your present employer refuses to give NOC as you are a probationer now. Do not engage yourself in any arguments.

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Better attend the interview as it is and politely inform that your present employer refuses to provide an NOC as you are currently under probation. Avoid getting involved in any arguments.